How to Sneak Your Child Into a Gifted Program

Maybe you think your child is gifted, but for a valid reason his test scores don't quite make the grade. If your child has other factors in her life that may influence those test scores, speak to a gifted program coordinator. Often there are reference forms for teachers and parents that can substitute for the perfect test score if the score is fairly close to what is expected.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Consider your child's special situation. Whether dyslexia, ADHD or enrollment in language immersion is a factor, he may need you to pursue an alternate route or side door in order to enroll in an enriched alternative program of challenging courses. Start investigating by contacting the coordinator of the school or extracurricular program.

2. When contacting the coordinator, speak politely and be ready to fill out alternative paperwork. Be ready to document specific examples of ways you think your child has shown exceptionalness and awareness beyond his years, whether in adult interactions or creative fields. Offer to have the student's teacher fill out a reference form or be contacted.

3. Reflect on the child's teacher and the student/teacher interactions that may have taken place. Will the teacher be ready and able to document situations that show that the child is talented or gifted in some capacity (preferably two grade levels higher)? If not, you may not be able to validate your claims. The teacher's input can greatly strengthen the child's application status.

4. Don't be discouraged. Every year new assessments can be made, and the process can start over again. A different teacher may make a stronger recommendation, or the child's test score may rise nearer to that 90th percentile (or whatever the expectation is). On the bright side, a child's acceptance to a gifted program can mean he stays in that program from year to year, and you don't have to re-apply.

Tips & Warnings

• Take "precollege" or any gifted program with a grain of salt. It does not mean failure or no college for the child if she is not in a special enriched program by third grade.
• Don't pressure the child. Elementary school should be a time for fun. There is plenty of time for academic pressure later!